I will
therefore say no more, but ask, as is the custom, that anyone here
present who desires to change his life and wishes the assistance of the
prayers of God's people will please rise."
As is usual in all such meetings, there was a general turning of heads
from one side to the other. In an instant a single figure in the midst
of the little congregation arose, and a second later a hoarse voice
from one of the back seats, a voice which most persons present could
identify as that of Sam Kimper's son Tom, exclaimed,--
"Great Lord! it's Reynolds Bartram!"
CHAPTER XV.
The story that Reynolds Bartram had "stood up for prayers" went through
Bruceton and the surrounding country like wildfire. Scarcely anyone
believed it, no matter by whom he was told: the informer might be a
person of undoubted character, but the information was simply
incredible. People would not believe such a thing unless they could see
it with their own eyes and hear it with their own ears: so the special
meetings became at once so largely attended that they were held in the
body of the church instead of the little basement called the
"lecture-room."
The most entirely amazed person in the town was Deacon Quickset. Never
before had he been absent, unless sick, from any special effort of his
church to persuade the sinners to flee from the wrath to come; but when
Dr.
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